Actually, I think that Sandler has been really good in two other films - SPANGLISH (which is quite underrated and he's terrific in it) and REIGN OVER ME, which is particularly affecting if you lived in New York City during 9/11 but is just an amazing film regardless.

But I would say that PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE is my fave Sandler performance, hands down. It might even be my fave Paul Thomas Anderson film. It is really so good and such a departure for PTA, and, on the surface, you would think for Sandler, but he is still tapping into the violent manchild schtick he does in other films only he's got much, much better material to work with.

Thanks JD, Yea, I wasn't trying to badmouth Sandler...I think he's been great in several films and is a funny guy just never better than here. I actually like SPANGLISH a lot and never got why it was so criticized. Haven't seen REIGN OVER ME yet. This is my forth favorite PTA film and I still think it's one of teh best of the decade (show's how much I love the guy and his films).

It's kinda scary how similar our tastes are sometimes. An amazing film, this was my favorite PTA until There Will Be Blood. I like that the shots you select have almost no human presence until those last few, a progression that pretty much follows the film's (and Sandler's) own arc from disconnection to romanticism.

Thanks Ed, I think this was a film that caught a lot of people off guard and the fact that it is some folks favorite PTA film is really something special. Thanks for the kind words about the shots...I try each week to keep them a bit different from what might typically be selected. Don't you love those blue streaks in the last two? It's such a striking looking film.

When I went to see this movie in Lexington, KY with one of my friends, the cashier actively tried to talk us out of seeing it. "It's not a normal Adam Sandler movie. It's not really funny at all." I said I didn't care, and on the cashier went warning the people behind me not to see it. There was hardly anyone in the theater, but it didn't matter. This is one terrific movie. I'm with Ed (again) on this...it was my favorite until TWBB. Great choice.

Hey Jeremy, just a quick note to let you know that I've started a new series of posts inspired by your greatest films of the decade feature, among other things. It's a similar series of (mostly) visual essays focusing on some of my favorite films, modestly called "Films I Love." The first one is Sans Soleil. I referenced you in the introductory post, since you really gave me the idea to start doing this b/c of how much I've enjoyed reading this feature every week.

Thanks so much Ed, I am honored to have helped inspire your new series and will greatly anticipate the posts. I'm thrilled to find people enjoying this series as it has become one of my favorites here at Moon. Thanks again...

I'm glad to hear that someone else likes SPANGLISH. I have no idea why it goes blasted either. I think that there is a lot going on in that one and I really love James L. Brooks' films that he directs - BROADCAST NEW has to be one of my all-time faves. I wish he would direct more.

I love all of PTA's stuff and it's really tough to pick a fave but I think that PUNCH-DRUNK just edges out BOOGIE NIGHTS, which such an amazing film. Altho, MAGNOLIA is pretty amazing too.

I am the editor and co-creator of the upcoming quarterly publication Art Decades as well as the author and creator of various film and music blogs including Moon in the Gutter, Fascination: The Jean Rollin Experience, The Arrival of Sylvia Kristel and Harry Moseby Confidential. I live in Kentucky with my wife Kelley, our two dogs Molly and Maizie and our cat Mazzy.